Why Brushing Your Tongue Is Just as Important

Most of us brush our teeth every day and floss regularly too, but if you are in the habit of forgetting to brush your tongue, you need to think more about your dental health. In this article, we show you why you should brush your tongue regularly.

Why It’s Important To Brush Your Tongue

Can brushing your tongue damage it? There are over 700 types of bacterial species in the human mouth, but not all of them are harmful. However, when the bad microbes increase and multiply on the crevices on the tongue, they can cause great damage. Your tongue becomes like a bacterial sponge that spreads harmful bacteria throughout your mouth leading to problems like bad breath and more life-threatening diseases.

What Happens If You Don t Brush Your Tongue

Bad breath is a major problem that results from not brushing the tongue. The bacteria on your tongue multiply greatly and lead to a foul smell. These odor-causing microbes like to stay behind the tongue that is why you should always remember to brush back there to get rid of the smell.

When you do not brush your tongue properly, a disgusting coating of microbes, food remnants, and dead skin cells can cover the taste buds on your tongue making your sense of taste less precise. Get rid of the coating and your taste buds will work better.

This is really serious. When the crevices on your tongue become stained with food or beverage particles, and they do not get brushed away, then your tongue will start to look dark and furry. However, this is not the end of the world, if you begin to brush your tongue more often it will disappear.

Bacteria Buildup Can Lead To Periodontal Disease

Oral thrush happens when the bacteria level in the mouth get out of control. This may happen when you not brushing tongue and yeast starts to grow excessively. This leads to white patches appearing on the tongue. Antifungal medication can cure the infection and frequent tongue brushing will prevent it from occurring again.

Bacteria buildup on the tongue can easily spread to the teeth, leading to the inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). If left untreated, the terrible inflammation can lead to periodontal disease. This is where the gums start to pull away from the teeth leaving space in-between which becomes easily infected. The teeth might start to fall off. The worst case scenario is that the severe inflammation resulting from periodontal disease can lead to a heart attack, stroke or even miscarriages.

Step On How To Brush Your Tongue Properly

By this point, I am sure you now see why you need to brush your tongue properly. You get to avoid duller taste buds, a hairy tongue and a yeast infection in the mouth. But how do you brush your tongue?

Start at the back of the tongue

Gently brush as you move toward the front area

Go from one side to the other

Toothpaste is not really necessary, but it may help in cleaning more effectively. Do this one to two times a day.

Creative Dental Care is a solution for dental care in New Jersey. We have top dentists who practice cosmetic and general dentistry. Call us today to take care of your dental health.